From the Ground Up: Cowan's Ace Hardware

General contractor: Howard Bailey Co.

Architect: H Design Group LLC

Engineers: Olsson Associates Inc., civil; Mettemeyer Engineering LLC, structural; Colvin Jones Davis LLC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing

Size: 21,900 square feet

Estimated cost: $1.3 million

Lender: Liberty Bank

Estimated completion date: Aug. 1

Project description: This will be the fourth Ace Hardware-branded store in the area, joining Westlake Ace Hardware, Rathbone Ace Hardware and Branson West Hardware, according to www.acehardware.com. First-time Ace Hardware owners Karen Cowan, husband James R. Cowan and son Matt Cowan will have a 5,000-square-foot garden center, a custom picture-framing studio and a rental center for power washers and other small household tools, according to Karen Cowan.

Reporter Cory Smith brings you new projects each week. He may be reached by e-mail at csmith@sbj.net, by fax at (417) 799-0603 or by phone at (417) 831-3238.